Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain
July 25th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
There may be times when rain creates hazardous driving conditions. But, for those who know how to safely drive in the rain, they can minimize the risk of accidents.
How to Drive in the Rain
Anything from a light sprinkle to a heavy downpour can affect road conditions and visibility. So, to drive safely in the rain, you should proceed with caution.
It often helps to slow down when driving in the rain. If the rain becomes too much to handle, you can always pull off to a safe spot on the side of the road and wait for the weather to improve before driving again. While you wait for the rain to subside, you may want to activate your car’s hazard lights for safety.
If you decide to drive in the rain, you should use your car’s headlights. Most states require drivers to turn on their car’s headlights when they drive in the rain, regardless of the time of day. With your car’s headlights activated, you can boost your visibility and make it easy for other drivers to see your vehicle as well.
In addition to using your car’s headlights, you should activate your windshield wipers when you drive in the rain. The windshield wiper speed is adjustable, and you should keep the wipers running at a speed that ensures you can keep moisture off your car’s windshield.
Driving in the Rain Safety Tips
Along with using your car’s headlights and windshield wipers, some of the best things you can do to drive safely in the rain include:
1. Stay a Safe Distance Away from Other Cars
Maintain at least several car lengths of distance from other vehicles any time you drive in the rain. Remember, rain can make it difficult to quickly stop, but keeping plenty of distance between your car and others helps limit the risk of accidents.
2. Watch for Standing Water
Whenever possible, avoid areas where water has collected. Otherwise, if you drive over these areas, you risk hydroplaning, which occurs when a car slides uncontrollably on a wet surface.
3. Use Your Car’s Ventilation System
Activate your car’s ventilation system to reduce window fog. Rain and humidity often go hand-in-hand, and rainy weather can cause your car windows to fog up immediately. At the first sign of fog, turn on your ventilation system. If you find that fog on your car windows makes it virtually impossible to drive, pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road and return to the road when the fog disappears. You can learn more on how to get rid of foggy windshields here.
Can You Use Cruise Control in the Rain?
When driving in the rain, you should turn off your car’s cruise control.
The rain creates wet roads, so you’ll want to slow down while driving in rainy weather. To ensure you can always drive at a safe speed in the rain, you should deactivate your cruise control. This also ensures you can travel with an appropriate distance behind the vehicle in front of you. After the rainy weather clears up, you can start using your cruise control safely once again.
Prepare Your Car for Driving in Inclement Weather Conditions
Getting regular car maintenance is an excellent way to keep your vehicle in top shape for driving in rainy weather. If you have your car’s windshield wipers, tires, ventilation system, and other components evaluated regularly, you can ensure your vehicle is well-prepared for a wide range of weather conditions.
If you do get in an accident while driving in the rain, the Fix Auto team of courteous, knowledgeable automotive professionals are here to assist you. Find us at your nearest Fix Auto location and schedule an appointment, or simply contact us at 1-800-INFO-FIX
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto La Mesa, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing customers in La Mesa, and San Diego County neighborhood.
